Filling the niche developed by Japanese micro-sportsters like the Suzuki Cappuccino, Roadster is a compact two seat body shell built round the core fabric of the Smart.

Probably the most interesting growth and development of this little machine may be the recently announced Brabus version, which pumps in the power to 101 PS – sufficient to provide 120PS/Tonne, adequate for sizzling performance.

The standard 80PS Coupe/convertible versions are exciting to drive, because of sharper suspension and quicker gearshift reactions compared to ForTwo. Quirky looks appear to polarise opinion; people either love the vehicle or hate its appearance.

The brand new name for the founding model, ForTwo is constantly on the develop its customer following, due to the fact of its mixture of character and practicality.

But just the latter if you will find never more than both of you in the car. So short that it’s often found parked end-on within the parking bay.

Smart’s clutchless manual six-speed transmission and 3-cylinder 50PS engine makes light work of driving in traffic, however the short wheelbase helps make the car feel twitchy at high open road speeds.

And look for the Crossblade variant, too – this open car is opening yet another following.

Meeting interest in drivers of the original car who’ve either acquired friends or began to breed, ForFour is really a stretched version of the original car, which logically enough has four doors and four seats.

Most of the quirks of design; the fascia design, the sequential gearbox, the ‘smiley face’ styling, are carried to this four seater, but to ensure the performance is adequate power continues to be increased.

There’s even a 4×4 version within the pipeline for 2006. It will likely be interesting to determine how this model is received through the public; even though extra doors and seats are helpful, their addition completely negates the innate charm of the original two seater Smart.

Founded as a joint venture between designer watch company Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, Smart began with a two-seater, two door city car. So successful was that model which remains offered in both coupe and convertible forms, it has since been accompanied by two more; a min-MPV, the Forfour, along with a quasi-sports car, the Roadster.

All share the semi-automatic transmission that delights some and annoys others, and there’s now a range of engines offered with a diesel variant Still viewed as a leading edge fashion accessory by some, Smart is becoming that rare
success, a brand new brand launch which has not just survived, but usually prospered.

Creating a new type of showroom having a corporate ‘glass elevator’ type of display column has helped make the Smart just as much a fashion buy as a mode of transport.

Rarely does an automobile live up to its name quite so effectively – so much in fact that the President of the Czech Republic has ordered one as his state limousine, in position of the earlier Audi A8.

A long wheelbase provides numerous rear legroom for passengers, along with a comprehensive selection of engines (including a 2.8 litre V6 petrol along with a 130PS diesel) provide lots of power.

Despite its primary function as a luxury car the Superb handles with precision, outperforming many of their rivals to the bargain. Also it even includes its own umbrella, inside a dedicated compartment.

Newly revised, Octavia has gained several millimetres here and there when compared with its predecessor, and initially emerges only in five door hatch form – an estate is scheduled to become listed on the line-up soon, as is a set of vRS sporting derivatives.

Engineered use a fulfilling driving experience and also the high level of comfort and space that buyers have started to expect of the model, the most recent model is for certain to build about the phenomenal success of the car it succeeds.

An array of engines emerges from the start, such as the excellent – and popular- 130PS diesel.

Sharing parts with assorted other small VOLKSWAGEN group models, Fabia may be the entry-level car within the Skoda range. A sense of integrity and solidity contradicts the small size of the car, which handles having a dean precision while offering a feeling of security and safety.

The vRS version, using its 130PS diesel engine and six-speed manual dose-ratio transmission, is really a revelation – the vehicle that breaks all of the rules about diesels and sports performance, being released on top of the heap.

It even has got the right level of youth-appeal brightness about its interior – although more mature drivers might contemplate it a bit garish.

When the butt of the thousand bad jokes, and rivalling only Lada when it comes to awfulness. Skoda today is one of Europe’s most highly-regarded automakers.

Part of the Volkswagen Group but permitted to develop its range of models. Skoda enjoys three-car line-up with a few unique derivatives unavailable elsewhere within the VOLKSWAGEN empire.

Included in this are the Superb sedan, which shares much using the Passat but includes a longer-wheelbase, and the diesel-engined pocket hot-shot that’s the Fabia vRS.

Build quality is great, and is reflected in high residual values. A newly-introduced second generation of Octavia continues to be gaining much-deserved plaudits because of its excellent mixture of performance and solidity of build.

The Zoomster suggests a gradual move towards a definite identity for Skoda, on the other hand expect the current range to develop, with more interesting models scheduled to reach from the Czech manufacturer throughout the coming year.

Joining the brand new Altea from early 2005 may be the next generation of Toledo, Displaying a radical transfer of styling from the ultra-conservatism of the outgoing model, the brand new Toledo is both bigger and wider compared to model it replaces – the additional size benefiting occupants by giving greater seat and luggage space.

Performance of the new model promises to become sharp and shiny, because of a range of punchy engines (particularly the 2.0FSI petrol and 140PS diesel) with six speed manual or sequential automatic gearbox, and Seat’s expected sporting suspension systems.

A brand new development in the vehicle is standardised Bluetooth wire-free connection from a mobile phone and also the car’s hands-free system, as well as an audio system that will play MP3 discs.

Sharing a lot of its underpinnings using the old model Volkswagen Golf, Leon is really a pleasing car they are driving. The well-proportioned five door body has some nice design details, and also the range of drivelines available is sufficiently broad to fulfill most demands.

The very best of the range Cupra R is really a viciously quick 228PS turbo, however it takes a skilful driver to find the best from the package; it delivers lots of power to feed with the front wheels.

Almost as entertaining can be extracted in the lower-powered Cupra 180PS, which is altogether more forgiving.

Competing within the fiercely-fought territory covered with the likes of the Fiesta and C3, Ibiza is starting to show wear and tear – although head of design Walter Da Silva did hard to try to keep its looks contemporary.

Lower-powered cars are frugal but just a little flat, and also the best is gained by upgrading to either to 2.0 litre petrol, or even the 130PS diesel.

Both of those come in at cheaper prices, and provide the car the sense of fun that it is chassis demands. It will likely be interesting to determine the replacement model when it arrives at the end of 2005.

Seat’s classic saloon – essentially a booted version of the Ibiza – has existed for quite a while, but nonetheless holds up well because of some recent facelift work.

That is similar to all Seats the handling is tidy and responsive, but to find the best from the package you have to skip straight after dark entry-level 1.4 and instead head for the diesel sector, and specifically the 130PS variant.

This endows the vehicle with sparkling performance through the standards of the class, and it is wonderfully frugal. Due for replacement within the next year or so.